''Around 100 police were on their way to the Ajristan district to strengthen the present police forces there. On the way the enemies ambushed our forces and unfortunately there was fighting for a few hours and as a result eight police were killed,'' said Interior Ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary.

An official from the province of Ghazni where the attack took place said earlier that 11 police had been killed.

Taliban rebels eventually fled the scene and the bodies of three insurgents were found after the clash, the Interior Ministry spokesman said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Violence has surged in Afghanistan in the past 20 months, the bloodiest period since US-led troops and Afghan forces overthrew Taliban's government in 2001.